Nutrition week celebration at Maa Kauvery Hospital
Sneka S, Sowmiya R, Madhumitha U
Department of Dietary Medicine, Maa Kauvery, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
Abstract
The Nutrition week celebration at Maa kauvery hospital was conducted with the objective of enhancing nutrition literacy and promoting healthier lifestyle practices among staff, patients and the surrounding community. Guided by the theme “Eat Right for a Better Life”, the week-long program incorporated a structured series of educational and interactive activities, including balanced food plate demonstrations, healthy snacks distribution, food display events, nutrition awareness sessions, skill based competitions and fermented food evaluation. Each activity was designed to reinforce core nutritional principles such as portion control, dietary diversity, mindful eating and the significance of preventive health care. The initiative successfully engaged diverse participant group, fostering experiential learning, teamwork and behavior change through enjoyable and practical formats. Overall, the celebration demonstrated a positive impact on participants understanding of nutrition and highlighted the crucial role of sustained awareness programs in promoting long-term health, well-being and a culture of healthy eating within healthcare settings.
Keywords: Maa kauvery hospital; Nutrtional week celebration; Dietary practices; Health promotion; Community engagement; Nutritional awareness
Introduction
In Maa kauvery hospital, dietitian department proudly celebrated national nutrition week with great enthusiasm and awareness-building activities. The theme for nutrition week 2025 “Eat right for a better life” highlighted the importance of making healthy food choices for overall well-being. The event aimed to educate both staff patient & attenders on the value of balanced nutrition, portion control, and mindful eating. Various sessions, posters, games, awareness talk on nutrition and interactive programs were conducted to emphasize that eating right for sustainable lifestyle choices. Through this celebration, dietitians of Maa kauvery hospital reinforced its commitment to promoting a healthier community and spreading the message that good nutrition is the foundation for a happy and energetic life. In today’s fast paced world, where convenience often takes priority over health, the importance of eating right has never been greater. The food we choose every day not only fuels our body but also shapes our long term health, energy, and emotional well being. “Eat right for a better life” is more than just a slogan it’s a lifestyle choice that promotes balance, awareness, and mindful eating. By adopting nutritious food habits, we can prevent diseases, improve mental focus, and enhance our overall quality of life. After all, eating right isn’t about strict dieting; it’s about nourishing the body, empowering the mind, and creating a foundation for a happier, healthier future.
Day-1
Food plate and healthy snacks distribution
The nutrition week celebration began with great enthusiasm on day 1 active participation from both staff and patient’s attenders. To mark the beginning of the week, a special event on “Food plate and healthy snacks distribution” was organized. A balanced food plate was thoughtfully prepared to demonstrate the concept of portion control, food diversity, and nutritional balance. Healthy snacks were distributed to employee, patients and attenders to promote the message that nutritious food can also be simple, tasty, and affordable. The initiative encouraged everyone to make conscious food choices and include a variety of nutrients in their daily meals. The event served as a reminder that healthy eating is the foundation of good health, and that even small changes in our diet-such as choosing wholesome snacks or following a balanced plate-can significantly improve our well-being. The positive response from participants made the first day of the celebration both meaningful and impactful, setting the tone for the rest of the week’s activities.
Day-2
Food display event
Second day includes a vibrant food display event was organized for the hospital employees as part of the nutrition week celebration. The participants were encouraged to cook and bring dishes from home, focusing on healthy and balanced meal preparation for different age groups, including children, adults, and elderly individuals. They were asked to prepare dishes covering all main meals-breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring a wholesome representation of daily nutrition. Each participant presented their dishes along with a brief explanation of their nutritional value, emphasizing the importance of balanced and age appropriate diets. To make the event more inspiring and insightful, we had the honor of inviting Dr. Megnathan, Dr. Neha, and Dr. Suganya as chief guests to evaluate the displays and provide valuable feedback. Their presence added great encouragement and motivation to all the participants. The event created an interactive and enjoyable learning atmosphere. Participants enthusiastically took part, shared innovative meal ideas, and gained a deeper understanding of nutritional balance, healthy cooking practices, and dietary planning for various life stages. Overall, the food display event was a great success, combining education, creativity, and enjoyment, while reinforcing the importance of healthy eating habits among all.
Day-3
Nutrition awareness program
As part of the nutrition week celebration, a comprehensive nutrition awareness program was organized on day-the session aimed to create awareness among various groups of patients, including MHC, Gynecology, and pediatric patients, as well as the public participating in outdoor activities at Royal Park. The program emphasized the importance of nutrition in daily life and how it directly influences health and overall well-being. Many individuals today tend to prioritize neglecting the value of a balanced diet. Hence, our main focus was to educate them on how to prepare simple, quick, them on how to prepare simple, quick, and healthy meals suitable for their daily routines. As part of our community health initiative, we organized a wellness activity at the local park, a place where many health-conscious individuals gather for walking and running. Our team collaborated with the staff nurse to conduct basic health screenings, including blood pressure and blood glucose level checks. Based on the results, personalized dietary advice was provided to help participants make informed nutritional choices. In addition, informative pamphlets were distributed and interactive activities along with an inspiring motivational talk were conducted to encourage participants to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The event successfully created awareness about preventive health care and the importance of maintaining a balanced diet for overall well-being. Overall, the participants actively engaged in the session, gained a better understanding of the importance of nutrition, and expressed happiness in learning how small lifestyle changes can lead to a healthier life. The program successfully delivered the message that “healthy eating is the foundation of healthy living.”
Day-4
Blindfold drawing competition with quiz
A creative food themed blindfold drawing activity was organized to encourage staff to think about nutrition in a fun and innovative way. Participants were blindfolded and asked to draw a nutrition-related food item. Once the drawings were completed, each participant explained the food item, its nutritional value, and its importance in maintaining a balanced diet. This activity created a lively, joyful atmosphere and promoted interactive learning. Even staff members who were initially unfamiliar with certain nutrition concepts were able to gain meaningful insights through this enjoyable experience. The competition helped foster creativity, teamwork, and a sense of enthusiasm among all participants.
Nutrition awareness quiz
Following the drawing competition, a nutrition awareness quiz was conducted. The quiz covered a wide range of topics,
Including:
- Essential nutrients
- Healthy eating practices
- Basic principles of nutrition
This session was highly informative and interactive, allowing staff to test their knowledge while simultaneously strengthening their understanding of core nutrition concepts. The quiz encouraged active participation and helped reinforce dietary habits.
Overall impact the day 4 celebrations proved to be both enriching and impactful, successfully blinding education with recreation. The activities significantly contributed to improving nutrition literacy among staff members and further supported our ongoing commitment to promoting wellness within the hospital environment.
Day-5
Fermented food evaluation
As part of the nutrition week celebration, day 5 featured an exciting and interactive fermented food evaluation game, which turned out to be one of the most engaging activities of the week. Doctors, nursing staff, and all other hospital employees actively participated, making the event lively and memorable.
In this activity, participants were blindfolded and asked to identify various fermented foods by tasting small samples. This added a fun challenge and encouraged everyone to rely on their various senses like taste, vision, touch, feel and smell. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, curiosity, and friendly competition as participants tried to guess the right foods.
Significance of fermented foods
A special highlight of the event was the emphasis on the importance of including fermented foods in our daily diet. Fermented food such as curd, idli, dosa batter, buttermilk, kombucha, kanji, and pickles are rich in probiotics, which help improve digestion, boost immunity, and support overall gut health. By implementing this event, the nutrition team aimed to create awareness about how simple, traditional fermented foods can significantly enhance well-being. Overall, day 5 was a grand success. With enthusiastic participation and an enjoyable learning experience, the activity marked a strong finish to the week’s celebrations. The nutrition department team ensured that all five days were conducted effectively, spreading valuable knowledge about healthy eating practices through fun and meaningful events.
Day-6
Connecting health game
The final day of the nutrition week celebration, an engaging and refreshing activity tiled “Connecting health game” was organized for the hospital staff. This game was designed as a simple, enjoyable way to promote health awareness while giving participants a chance to relax and unwind from their routine duties. The connecting health game is an interactive activity where participants are shown a series of pictures related to health, nutrition, or wellness. Each set of images leads to a hidden health-related word or concept. Participants must observe the pictures, connect the clues, and identify the correct term. This game encourages quick thinking, teamwork, and awareness of basic health concepts in a fun manner. Doctors, nurses, Housekeeping employees and all staff eagerly took part in the game, their active participation and enthusiasm made the session lively and cheerful. A relaxing and enjoyable experience, the session was not only informative but also served as a relaxation activity for everyone. It created a light-hearted environment where staff members could interact freely, laugh, and enjoy moment o refreshment amidst their busy schedules. The connecting health game turned out to be a simple yet impactful activity that brought everyone together and strengthened team spirit while reinforcing important health concepts in an enjoyable way.
Conclusion
The Nutrition week celebration at Maa Kauvery Hospital successfully fulfilled its objective of enhancing nutritional awareness and fostering healthier lifestyle practices among staff, patients and the community. Through a diverse range of interactive, educational and engaging activities, the program highlighted the importance of balanced nutrition, mindful eating and preventive health care in daily life. Each day’s event- from food plate demonstrations and food display exhibition to quizzes, wellness activities and fermented food evaluations contributed to a deeper understanding of core dietary principles while creating an enjoyable environment for learning. The enthusiastic participation and positive feedback received throughout the week reflect the effectiveness of the initiative in promoting behavior change and encouraging individuals to make informed dietary choices. By integrating education with practical demonstrations and team-based activites, the celebration reinforced that healthy eating is both achievable and essential for long term well-being. Overall, the nutrition week program strengthened the hospitals commitment to advancing health promotion and establishing a strong foundation for continued efforts toward building a nutritionally aware and health-conscious community.
